National Championship

Coming soon

Lonnnggg Timmeee

WOW! It's been while. How to I catch you up on 6 months without ya'll having to ready so much. Well, here it goes:

• June ~ as you know, was our first month in our new home! It took us awhile to get settled in as you will see. On the 16th we learned Jacob would have a new cousin in February 2011.
• July ~ Wes and I spent the weekend of the 4th (June 30th -July 3rd) in Chicago. Wes went to a Golf Ball that supports the Junior League and won a 2 night stay at McCormick Place and Cubs Tickets. We added Friday nights stay to enjoy Chicago's scenery. It was a fun trip with great weather. Cubs lost though. We got to go to the Taste of Chicago in Grant Park. We went to the John Hancock Observatory Signature Lounge and enjoyed the city landscape. We spent Independence Day in Auburn with my parents, who watched Jacob while we were on vacation. Jacob and I went to Ft. Jackson water park with the Wiley girls and had a blast. We also participated in Saddle Ridge Ranch VBS at FBC- Columbia. Wes and I celebrated 6 years of marriage on the 24th. The last weekend in July we had our first annual vacation with the Neighbors, Wallaces, and Stone at Lake Martin. Brad and Heather announced that they were expecting. I prayed that if we were to get pregnant that Kristen and Ben would be too!
• August ~ School started back on the 13th. We finally got our cars in the garage! Trinity Baptist Church's Womens Ministry wrapped up a wonderful summer of sharing and learning at our Summer Taste and See Neighborhood Outreach.
• September ~ Auburn Tigers kicked of their perfect season on Sept 4th against Arkansas St. (52-26) Jacob attended until half time. First game since he was 5 months old. War Eagle!!! Our BIGGEST News: On the 13th we found our we were expecting BABY #2, due on May 18th (same date Jacob was due - we also found out on the same date). It was a huge blessing for us as I went to my midwife for a breast check because I felt a knot on my left side. I just want to be cautious. She knew we were trying and had to do a pregnancy test before she ordered a mammogram. Luckily, everything turned out better than we thought!!! We traveled back to Auburn for the Clemson (27-24 OT) and Carolina (35-27) games back to back. We told my family on my Dad's "Pop" Birthday! And Wes parents on the 23rd when we took him to see them. We had a scare the day before, but this pregnancy has been very different. More news is that my prayers were answered and Kristen is expecting also, she happened to be 8 days behind me!!! Jacob also started soccer for the fall season. Didn't participate that much at first. He even took himself out of his first game after 8 minutes.
• October ~ Was pretty quiet. We had our first Appt. on the 11th and saw the heart beat. She scheduled an ultrasound because of the spotting I had for the 18th. Family friend, Kay Broughman, scanned us and said everything looked great said I was measuring 9w1d (instead of 9w5d) which would have put our due date, May 22, but since it was just 4 days she kept it on May 18th. We went to Auburn for the LSU Game (24-17)! Another Win! Trinity had a Trunk & Treat and Jacob was a cowboy (he wore his daddy's boots from when he was his age).
• November ~ We finished up soccer...he finally got the hang of it. It was hard having games on Sunday after Church with no nap, but he seemed to enjoyed it. We traveled to Auburn for the last time this year for the Georgia Game (49-31). We had Thanksgiving at Amanda and Micah's! We had 3 fried turkeys. My parents went to Birmingham with some friends and then to the Iron Bowl on Friday(28-27), I said at half "I don't care if we when by 1 point as long as we win"!!!
• December ~ I enjoyed decorated the house for Christmas. Jacob loved all the decorations and was even sad when I finished taking them down today. This was the first year that he was aware of Santa. I tried not to push it too much, but it's hard when it's all around. Though, he knows that we celebrate the Birth of Christ, Our Savior. His biggest present was his bike from Daddy and I. Mimi and Poppy got him a 3 wheeler and Nana and Pop got him Thomas Station. He loves Thomas! God brought us a natural gift as it began to snow Christmas night we woke to a blanket of snow Sunday morning. jacob had fun building a snowman and playing with Daddy. Our BIGGEST News of the month: on the 14th we found our we're having a BOY in 2011!!!! Jacob is going to have a baby brother. He is excited. We would ask what he wanted and he would say and baby brother and sister. He still says it. Maybe God will answer his prayers! Wes also turned 30 this month on the 23rd!!!! I even pulled off a surprise party for him on the 17th. He thought we were attending a Christmas Party and that I was cleaning and cooking for a Pampered Chef party for the next day. Then our doorbell rang and family and friends came caroling 'Happy Birthday'!!! Thanks to my wonderful neighbors who hosted our guest until they walked over ....so the party came to him. What surprised him was seeing Brad and Heather standing in front. Ben and Kristen joined us later (they got a late start due to an ultrasound they had scheduled). Brad and Heather are expecting a Boy, William 'Parker' in February. Kristen announced that they were also expecting a Boy this May!!! So 3 boys and Big Brother Jacob!!!

I hope that wasn't too much for everyone to catch up on. I thought it would be easy to read by the month. I'll try and get pictures together!

Chicago Trip

Wes bid on a trip to Chicago at a fundraiser for the Golf Junior League and won 2 nights for about $250 including Cubs tickets ~ so we made long weekend with it: June 30th ~ July 3rd and then spent Fourth of July in Auburn.

us at Soldier Field and Field Museum

Turkey Trot

Here are some pictures from 8:ooam Turkey Trot that supporting the East Alabama Food Bank.

We walked 3 miles.

Well, Jacob rode in his stroller about 2/3 and walked 1/3.

Let say Jacob was ready for a nap at 11am. Which gave Wes & Dad time to Fry a Turkey and Mom & I time to make the extras.

"I just want to walk" ~ Jacob Lawson

Our Biltmore Trip

Our first trip alone since before Jacob was born!

Wes and I took the opportunity to go to Asheville, NC this past weekend and see the Biltmore. Jacob is in Auburn visiting Nana & Pop since his daycare is closed due to Ms. Janice's daughter getting married yesterday. We met Nana & Uncle Kyle half way this past Wednesday and my mom is bringing him back on Tuesday or Thursday and staying with us while Wes is out of town.

Besides the fridged weather, we still enjoyed the mountain scene and spending time together. On Saturday morning, we walk through the Biltmore Village and ate lunch at Razaz, a Meterainan Restaurant. Then, toured the Biltmore Garden's and grounds after lunch. Saturday we went to Baylee's Grill to watch Auburn lose to Kentucky. Not a very good game.

Sunday morning we toured The Biltmore House, the winery and had a fabulous Brunch at the Deerpark Restaurant on the Estate. Wes said he ate Breakfast, lunch and dinner in one sitting. After our trip to the winery went head back to Columbia, making sure we got some NC apples.

Home Sweet Home

After approximately 1, 435 miles we are finally home and adjusting back to our routine!

Monday leaving NC for SC

Jacob playing with his cars before we leave Aunt Lynn's and Uncle Simon's.

Before leaving Greensboro we were going to eat lunch at my cousin's restaurant MCoul's, but

the one Monday we were in town they were closed because they were putting new tile on the patio. So we walked down the street to a little Greek place. Now, when you think Greek you think big portions, right. Not so much. The food was great, but nothing big about the portions.

I definitely suggest anyone go visit MCoul's if they are in the Greensboro area.

The sun was shinning bright in Jacob's window on the way home, so I made him a curtain. He thought it was neat.

Sunday on the Road to NC

We left Troy, OH around 10:00 am to travel through the rest of the plains of Ohio and into the hills of West VA and Virginia and arrived in Greensboro, NC about 5:00pm for our last stop before going home. We drove 7 hours with just one stop. Jacob did very well! Much better than our 2 hour trip from Lexington to Troy, OH.

Jacob decided to collected some cars for the road. Aunt Linda was gracious to give him some which was great for us because it kept him occupied for the first hour or so and the last.

Now we're in West Va and once we go through this tunnel we will be in Virginia. Jacob liked going the the tunnels.

Fourth Stop: Greensboro, NC ~ My Aunt Lynn and Uncle Simon's

Jacob's 2nd cousins: Xander, Cayla & Kendall Ritchy

'The Bump'

Jacob & Cayla

Saturday in Ohio

Jacob playing with Wes' cousin, Todd's cars.

Pictures from our morning visit with Granny.

Reading with Granny

Sitting in Granny's walker and then her lap.

Video of Jacob & Granny Lawson

_________________________________________________________ Visit with Uncle Rich, Aunt Di, Chad and Alison

eating suckers

__________________________________________________

Last trip to Granny's

We had a great visit! Granny smiled the whole time and just watch Jacob entertain everyone.

After our visit with Granny, Uncle Bob treated us to Cassano's (a must stop for pizza in Piqua, OH). Jacob was very hungry since he didn't eat lunch. We offered, but he didn't want it at the time so he went straight to bed instead.

Eldean Bridge

Friday going to Ohio

Our Hotel in Georgetown, KY, north of Lexington

Best Western~ we decided to pay a little more, but it was well worth the indoor pool, king size bed and complimentary breakfast.

Jacob didn't have the best ride to Ohio. He did have his moments. Just out the video of him singing.

Third Stop: Troy, OH~ Wes' Uncle Bob's & Aunt Linda's

We left Georgetown, KY about 10:45 and arrived in Troy around 1:45-2pm. We were going to stop and see Granny, but Jacob was a bit cranky. I would be too if I was strapped in a seat for hours and hours as he was. We ate lunch at Arby's then headed to Wes' Uncle Bob's for a nap, which included one for me too. We woke about 5pm and went to see Granny. She was so excited and said this surprise was the best Birthday present. She'll be 86 next Friday, July 3rd. We had a good visit. He helped push her around in her wheelchair and watched the birdies and gave kisses.

Thursday on the Road

So we left Gatlinburg around 9:30am ~ stopped at Cumberland Falls around 12pm ~ Ate Lunch and then back on the Interstate.

Second Stop: Lexington, KY ~ We arrived around 2:45 and went to Mary Todd Lincoln's (wife of 16th President, Abraham Lincoln) childhood home. Just for Jacob to throw a big tantrum in public (luckily he doesn't have very many). Wes graciously took him outside so I can finish the tour. He also donated his $7 admittance fee. We left there and drove through the University of KY's Campus and then stopped and walked around the arboretum. When then decided to head back to the interstate and find a hotel with a pool after getting hot and sweaty. We found a good deal with our AAA discount at a Best Western in Georgetown, KY just north of Lexington for $62/night more than the Grand Prix Motel, but this one includes a complimentary breakfast and we got a King Bed.